bird  bird call



R. G. SHURLEY Feb 1,1949.

BIRD CALL Filed NOV. 8, 1946 the edges diverge from Patented Feb. 1,1949 NITED STATE BIRD CALL Robert G. Shurley, Money, Miss.

Application November 8,

2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in bird calls.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovementioned character which is adjustable to vary the pitch of the callfor calling different birds, such as the mallard duck and crows, and,which is also adjustable to produce different pitches to suit theindividual user.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovementioned character which is self-contained, simple in construction, andconvenient to use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists inthe details of construction, and in the arrangement and combination ofparts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings forming part of this application, wherein likecharacters denote corresponding parts in the several views, and inwhich:

Figure 1 illustrates a central vertical, longitudinal section through adevice embodying my invention, partly in elevation, and parts brokenaway;

Figure 2 same;

Figure 3 illustrates an end elevation of the de vice;

Figure 4 illustrates a transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig.1; and

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of one of the tongues, partlybroken away.

The device comprises a pair of substantially semi-cylindrical tongues llhaving grooves, which when assembled form a tube having a longitudinalbore I I. These tongues have longitudinal edges l2 which are straightfrom the forward ends of the tongues to points l3, and the points l3 tothe rear ends of the tongues, as shown, and these diverging ends arepreferably longitudinally curved. The tongues are tapered exteriorlytoward their rear ends, as shown. The bore H passes through the rearends of the tongues. These tongues are stiff and somewhat resilient, andthey are preferably formed of plastics material, such as Lucite.

Arranged between the edges l2 of the tongues is a reed l4, preferablyformed of metal, such as brass or bronze.

Numeral l5 designates a horn having screwthreaded engagement at IS, withthe forward illustrates a side elevation of the 1946, Serial No. 708,663

2 ends of the tongues Ill, and engaging a stop shoulder 11. Numeral l8designates an outer air blown into the casing.

casing, the forward end of which may be reinforced by a ring l9. Thecasing T8 is internally screw-threaded at its forward end, as shown at20, for engagement with screw threads 21 formed upon the tongues I0, atthe rear of the shoulder H, as shown. The casing I8 has a mouth-piece 22and is provided with an internal annular flange 23, the inner edge ofwhich tapers slightly rearwardly. Formed integral with the rear ends ofthe tongues Ill and disposed radially outwardly of the same, arelongitudinal ribs 2d, the outer longitudinal edges of which convergerearwardly, as shown. These edges project into the flange 23, as clearlyshown in Figure 1.

In assembling, the reed I4 is placed between the edges of the tongues'10 and the forward ends of the tongues are screwed into the horn [5.The casing I8 is then slipped over the tongues and screwed upon thescrew-threaded portion 2| of the tongues. The ribs 24 are now engagingwithin the flange 23, and the diverging or curved portions of the edgesl2 have clamping engagement with the reed, to produce a low pitch forcalling mallard ducks. This adjustment of the parts is shown inFigure 1. By screwing up the casing I8, the free vibrating end portionof the reed I l has its length reduced and this produces a higher pitch,to imitate the call of a crow. It is obvious that intermediate pitchesare obtainable by turning the casing It; with respect to the tongues.

The casing i8 gives added protection from moisture and prevents theescape of any of the The shape of the tongues is such that squeaks areeliminated, when an uneven flow of air strikes the reed, and regardlessof the pressure used to vibrate the reed, the same quality of tone isproduced.

I claim:

1. A bird call comprising substantially semicylindrical tongues havinglongitudinal grooves to form a bore and inner opposed longitudinaledges, the rear portions of the edges diverging rearwardly, a reed heldbetween the opposed edges, a horn secured to the front end of thetongues, a sleeve receiving the tongues and having screw-threadedengagement therewith, said sleeve being provided near its rear end withan internal flange, and ribs secured to the rear ends of the tongues andextending longitudinally thereof and having rearwardly converging edgesengaging within the flange, so that rotation of the sleeve in onedirection moves the rear p01"- tions of the tongues closer togetherwhile rotation in the opposite direction moves said rear portionsfurther apart whereby the pitch of the call may be varied 2. A bird callcomprising substantially semicylindrical tongues having longitudinalgrooves a forming a' bore, the forward ends of the tongues beingprovidedewithna stop shoulder. andehaving screw thiseads.forwaznily andrearwartily offtthe stop shofilder, said tongues having opposed edgesprovided with rearwardly diverging portions,.a reed held between theedges, a 'horn having screw-threaded engagement with the forward screwthreads, a sleevereceiving the tongues and having screw-threadedengagement with the rear screw threads, the sleeve being provided nearits rear end with an internal annular flange,

and longitudinal ribs secured to the rear ends of the tongues and havingedges which con- 5 verge rearwardly and enter the flange.

ROBERT G. SHURLEY.

REFERENCES CITED .The followingLreferenees-arelofineoom in the 0 :file,pf Eithiis gpatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS "'Number Name Date 388,238 Young Dec. 20, 1892McClusky Nov. 5, 1912

